Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
Jul 4, 2011 at 6:40am
That would be the third time Egypt's natural gas pipeline to Israel and Jordan has been blown up since February. Happy Fourth of July.
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May '10
Re: Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
Now may be a good time to ask: what's the latest on Israel's newly discovered natural gas deposits?
Sep '10
Re: Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
I have some vague recollection that when Israel stopped the supply of electricity to Gaza there was widespread condemnation. I wonder if people understand that the electricity is generated by natural gas as a fuel? Probably from this pipeline.
Re: Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
The weird thing is that this is being reported as "cutting off supplies to Israel" in the headlines--do Jordan and Egypt no longer count? Apparently 2,500 homes in Egypt are now without gas.
Mar '11
Re: Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
Claire: To what degree do you think the the various other government security programs have been instituted to avoid the perception that the government is shrugging its shoulders?
That is:
"Terrorism!? Woah, this is really complicated. Understanding who these enemies are and what can be done to stop them is mesmerizingly difficult. What we actually need to stop them is largely clandestine....but secret things can't be told to voters, nevermind sold to them as in their interest. We're transparent, here!
"What can we do to show the people we're doing something?
"We need a blue ribbon commission for this, stat! And a program! Yes, a program! We're doing something, everybody! Look at us! We've got a color coded security scheme to tell you when bad things happen! We've got more agents to search through all your luggage! Feel safer, everybody!"
Moreover, I simply cannot understand why more public office holders are not advocating for a modified version of the Israeli system. No system is perfect or airtight, but can't we do better?
Re: Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
Crow's Nest: Claire: To what degree do you think the the various other government security programs have been instituted to avoid the perception that the government is shrugging its shoulders?
That is:
"Terrorism!? Woah, this is really complicated. Understanding who these enemies are and what can be done to stop them is mesmerizingly difficult. What we actually need to stop them is largely clandestine...
I think there's some of that, but what does it mean about our political culture that no one in government can say that frankly?
Mar '11
Re: Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
I think there's some of that, but what does it mean about our political culture that no one in government can say that frankly?
I think it says two things, both of them uncomfortable. The first is that knowledgable people in government often talk about voters like their children. That's because the voting public, nevermind that portion that doesn't vote, often acts like children. Like, "my taxes are too high, but don't cut any of my government programs!"
The second is that we have a politics that is governed more by spectacle than by quiet reserve and ability.
Neither trend bodes well for we who love liberty without anarchy.
But, then again, the genius of the democratic republic is its malleability within wise constraints. Or, otherwise put: there is always hope that the sun will rise and it will be morning, again, in America.
Dec '10
Re: Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
It will be funny when Israel becomes self-sufficient and the main supplier of gas to Jordan, and the pipeline from Egypt shuts down for lack of demand. I bet that the Egyptians will then claim that Israel's refusal to buy their gas is a form of terrorism.
Sep '10
Re: Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
As someone who makes his living delivering natural gas I can tell you with certainty that customers prefer reliable vendors (no matter whose fault it is). I suspect Israel may end up displacing less reliable supplies from neighboring infrastructure. Devolution your name is the Arab Spring.
Re: Want to Worry About Terrorism? Look Here, Not at the Tweezers
Matthew, about a week ago Israeli licensees reported discovery of yet more natural gas deposits off the Haifa coast -- the Myra and Sara fields. They're estimated to contain about 6 trillion cubic feet of gas, which, added to the 8.6 tcf in Tamar and the 16 tcf in Leviathan, adds up to quite a substantial quantity. Tamar alone is expected to supply Israel's domestic needs for about 30 years. Drilling has started at Tamar; that field is expected to begin producing gas at the end of next year.